It is one thing to talk about violence in the sphere of sexuality in general but quite another if we examine it in the context of State run machineries such as the police, the judiciary, the medical fraternity etc. What is the nature of their relationship when it comes to sexuality and violence? Are they always the protectors against or sometimes even the perpetrators of violence? Although definitions of violence may differ across countries and contexts, most of our national and State laws do address sexual violence albeit rather inadequately. However, do the parameters of law and justice extend to that of or include State perpetrated violence? Do our protectors of laws help in implementing these laws or do they bend it for their own purposes often encouraging these incidences of violence?

Some of us maybe aware of sexual violence occurring in regions experiencing armed conflict and the army’s powerful role in those instances of violence, often being the perpetrators of such violence. Also, we hear of instances of rape and other forms of sexual violence that occur within the custody whether in police stations or in hospitals and other State-run institutions. We know that many of these instances of violence go absolutely unreported because of a lack of faith in the State machinery. What may be reported or brought to light are stray instances of sexual violence on women although we do know that violence does take place on men and transgender people as well. The latter may however be even less reported because of stigma and lack of space to talk about sexuality in general and sexual violence in particular among marginalised communities. Many reports such as the PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties) Report, 2003 on ‘Human Rights Violations Against the Transgender Community - A Study of Kothi and Hijra Sex Workers in Bangalore, India’ point out specific examples of violence that have been used against same-sex desiring people or transgender people as an attack on one’s right to express sexuality in one’s own way.

In these instances of State sponsored violence what role can activists and the civil society play to bring about change? Does one give up and resign to it because there may seem to be no alternative especially because the State is the violator in these cases? Are there positive examples when people have reacted proactively to generate mass movements and campaigns against these instances of violence? Let us share our experiences of State-sponsored violence and how we may or may not have been able to question/ address it or prevent it?

Looking forward to hearing more voices in the New Year!

Regards,

Arpita Das (Moderator)
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality